Checking Out the Fun

Borrow. Play & Build Community with a Board Game Library

- Natalie Rodriguez

Some people have the means or space to create an extensive board game collection, even with obscure or out-of-print titles. But for others, looking to play a longlost title or even experience the latest hotness can be a challenge. Fortunately, conventions, local groups, and public libraries are all stepping up their game to offer broader access to these games for everyone.

Gen Con, the largest gaming convention in North America, has one of the biggest gaming libraries. For a large undertaking like the Gen Con library, “fun and games” isn’t all fun and games. Lending Library Logistics, LLC is the holding company that owns and manages the Gen Con Games Library. In addition to Gen Con, Publisher Relations Director Jeremy Burke and his three co-owners offer conventions a collection of over 4,700 games with logistics and management prowess to provide a “one-stop solution” for hosting and managing a games library for different events.

Burke believes the library competes with True Dungeon for the largest footprint in the massive space Gen Con occupies in downtown Indianapolis. Burke (along with co-owners Marissa Maile, Diane Kincaid, and Kevin Kincaid) relies on 40 volunteers to ensure the library runs smoothly for the thousands of players during Gen Con. The 1,000-seat library takes up the south end zone at Lucas Oil Stadium and is one of the most popular activities throughout the four-day event, with tickets to access the library selling out early. “Some people just love to camp out with us, like for the whole convention or at least when the convention hall is not open,” says Burke.